Holiday booking windows
Google’s analysis of five years of its flight data found that Thanksgiving fares reached their lowest point around 34 days before departure, with a broader booking range of 57 to 21 days. For Christmas, the average low was about 56 days before departure, within a range of 67 to 33 days.
Matador Network cited Points Path founder Julian Kheel as cautioning that these figures are averages rather than firm deadlines. Moving travel dates may offer more flexibility than targeting one precise booking day, he said.
The US 24-hour rule
Thrifty Traveler reports that US Transportation Department rules require airlines to offer either free cancellation within 24 hours of booking or a free 24-hour fare hold for flights to, from or within the United States. The federal requirement applies when a ticket is bought directly from the airline at least seven days before departure; individual carriers may extend it to later bookings.
Travellers should not assume both options are available. Third-party travel agencies are not covered by the same requirement, and refunds of miles are not explicitly mandated. Airline and agency policies should therefore be checked before purchase.